Tag Archives: lessons

January 11, 2011 · 8:56 am

Honor.

I would have posted yesterday, but I didn’t.  I figured most of you were too consumed with sledding and hot chocolate to read some post.  As for me, nothing edible was safe in my house.  I did, however, cut my 3 Oreos with my coffee down to 2 today.  Because, I do make good choices some days.  And, being trapped inside a house with little people will really make you tune into the choices your children are making. 

I have a chalkboard hanging in the hallway in our home.  I periodically put scriptures on it, and teach them to my children.  A few days ago, Anna reminded me to change the scripture, since she was very aware that in the city of David, a Savior had already born.  So, I thought this one appropriate:

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”  Exodus 20:12

“What does honor mean?”  Anna asked.

“It’s to treat someone with value,” I explained to her. 

My cousin was gracious to allow both John Henry and Anna spend Sunday afternoon with his little boy.  After hearing him respond to his dad with a little attitude, Anna told him what the Bible says about honoring your mother and father.  Then, she followed it up with, “if you wanna live a long life…”

Had I known Anna would take this to heart as much as she has, I would have posted that scripture a very long time ago. 

Later, Anna asked, “Will you really live a long life if you honor your parents?”

Fair question.  Especially, considering the fact that many young have left us early.  Some biblical scholars feel the promise of long life here is referring to that particular nation inhabiting that land for many days as opposed to life span.  So, I explained to Anna that this means her life would be much happier.  She would be much more content.  And, often times, a happy life affects the length of someone’s life.  It certainly affects a full life.

Yesterday, when Anna asked me what I was waiting for when she requested more Sprite, I quickly reminded her of honor.  Her dad quickly took away her privilege of getting more.  And, she quickly learned that her life, at that moment, was not full.

I think it will be a while before I erase that chalkboard.

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November 3, 2010 · 7:08 am

Listen To Your Donkey.

I think it’s funny how resistant I can be to learning from people I may not respect or agree with, at times.  Of course, God probably doesn’t view it as “funny.”  But He certainly must think I’m funny.  With all of my funny-ness and all.  And, it is most certain I think I am funnier than I truly am, yes? 

Learning from unlikely vessels.  We all can put up unteachable walls to these people.  Because, surely, we cannot learn from someone we don’t respect or like or view as less than?  Now, that’s humility.  Ahem. 

It’s definitely not a teachable spirit.

James 1:21 says, “So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has power to save your souls.” 

In other words, be teachable.  Accept the word, and be obedient to that word. 

But, we are often closed to learning from not only likely sources, but unlikely sources as well.  We close our spirit to anything new.  Perhaps, we fear something new may refute the old.  We fear we may be confronted with truth.  Or, we discount the teaching of people, because we don’t respect them.  When, we do this, when we put up these walls, we put God in a box. 

And, He won’t be put in a box.

Remember the story of Balaam in Numbers 22?  His donkey saw an angel of the Lord blocking their path, and he refused to go any further.  After three subsequent beatings by Balaam for his resistance, the donkey turned around and said, “Dude!  What have I done to deserve this beat down?”  Or something like that. 

Annndddd, Balaam responded to the donkey’s question.  As if a donkey talking to him was commonplace? 

Finally, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he, too, saw the angel of the Lord standing there. 

The point is:  God can use anything or anyone as an instrument of His instruction. 

Humbling?  Of course, it can be.  It should be.  We need to be checked on making sure we have a correct estimation of ourselves.  And, to have a correct estimation of ourselves, we must have a correct estimation of God….who will not be put in a box. 

Be willing and eager to learn regardless of who He chooses as our unlikely teacher.  Listen to your donkey.  Don’t beat the crap out of him.  There is always a lesson.  For real.

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November 18, 2009 · 6:00 am

Lock Up Your Sparkly Shoes.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.  Except Anna’s.  For, she is not innocent.

So, Anna brings home a headband from school that is clearly not hers. 

Me:  “Anna, where did you get this?”

Anna:  “I found it on the ground at school.”

Me:  And who does it belong to?

Anna:  “Hmm.  It might belong to Lucy.”

I think you all know what conversation followed.   The whole taking things that don’t belong to you, etc, etc.  And, I explained to her how she would need to return said headband to Lucy with a heartfelt “I’m sorry.”

She responds…

Anna:  “Well, at least I didn’t take Susie’s new sparkly shoes she got from a garage sale.”

Lord Jesus, help me.

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November 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

Commitments.

After not getting his badge at a Camporee (that I didn’t sign us up to attend because of previous obligations), John Henry said, “I quit Cub Scouts.”

A lengthy conversation followed about commitment.  I explained to him the importance of fulfilling commitments.  He had committed his first grade year to Cub Scouts.  He needed to finish it.

I can remember when I was in the fifth grade I wanted to play an instrument in band.  That instrument?  The saxophone.  Yes, little ‘ol me on the sax.  My parents paid a pretty penny for that instrument.  In return, I had to commit to play through ninth grade.  It was a breeze to maintain my commitment until ninth grade.

When it suddenly lost every bit of the cool factor.

But Barbara Goss wasn’t going to cave and bail me out.  My momma wasn’t about to let me back out of my promise. 

(Although, it probably would have made her life much easier as a parent.)

So, with great gnashing of teeth, I finished playing that durn thing through ninth grade. 

And, while I was upset with my mother for making me finish at the time, I’m grateful for the value in her lesson. 

Finish what you start.

As for John Henry, he did earn that badge.  And, he couldn’t be prouder.

Are you instilling this virtue in your children?

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June 17, 2009 · 6:00 am

Lessons In Horse Riding and Other Things.

Anna began horse camp on Monday.  Here she is getting ready for her first day.

Anna - horse camp wp

She’s enjoyed her week so far.  So has John Henry.  When we dropped Anna off yesterday morning, he said, “Got rid of her.”  Of course, two hours later, he was asking me how much longer until we picked her up.  But, we did enjoy the quiet and reprieve from inquisitions while it lasted. 

I asked Anna how she liked riding horses.  “I didn’t fall off,” she said.  I guess that’s good.  She also looked at me and quoted a line from “Little House On the Prairie.”  “Country girls,” she said.  This is how Nellie Olsen describes Laura and Mary Ingalls in one of the first episodes.  I think she has taken a liking to life as a country girl.  Or, she just loves the Ingalls girls.  Or she loves Nellie Olsen. 

Let’s hope it’s not the latter.

In other news, John Henry finally lost his first tooth.  It was a celebration.  Anna told us all she was “so proud of John Henry.”  Her supportive sentiments quickly turned bitter when she learned he got money for his loss.  “That’s not fair.” 

Oh, the lessons in rejoicing with those who rejoice.  It can be a difficult lesson for any of us when we look at our difficult situation versus another’s seemingly better situation.  But.  BUT, when we look at our situation in view of God’s mercy, then rejoicing is not only easier….but, we can’t help but do anything else.

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December 31, 2008 · 6:00 am

Revelations and Resolutions.


Revelations.

– I can gain weight faster than I can lose it.

– Plans change, but God is still in control.

– I love being a momma.  Love it.

– Marriage can be tricky.  Time alone with my husband does wonders.

– Anna’s fashion skills are evolving.  Just not sure what they are evolving into.

– I use the word “ridiculous” a lot. 

– It’s ridiculous how windy Oklahoma is.

– There is no problem chips and queso can’t cure.  At least, for a moment.

– John Henry has a heart after God.

– American Idol is the best thing on television.

– His mercies are still new every morning.

– Sometimes, I’m a monster.  According to Anna.

– Bratz dolls are ugly.

– It’s the small stuff.  The small stuff.

– Always check John Henry’s pockets before going through airport security.  Check again.

– Anna’s bedtime prayers are some of my favorite moments.

– Taking cheap shots at your spouse is so uncool.

– I have days that I doubt.

– But, God still parts the Red Sea.

– It’s amazing how many turtles one can trap.

– I have precious friends.

– The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory…. Exodus 15:2

 

Resolutions.

– Put more of my worries into the “God box.”

– Give more.  And more.  And more.  Until it hurts.

– Encourage John Henry more.

– Become more aware of God’s presence in my life.

– Anna’s spunk and creativity are God-given.  I want to embrace it more.

– Organize my family photos.  Finally.

– Spend less time on the computer.

– Read more.

– Have more sex.  There.  I said it.  You’re welcome, KT.

– Write more.

– Call people I normally don’t call.

– Have tea with Anna.

– Give each of my children one day where they choose every food and activity for the day.  Within reason.

– Look into Kris’ eyes an extra few seconds.

– Have more quiet time with God.

– Watch every episode of American Idol.

– Give John Henry more of me.

– Laugh harder.

– Surrender all of me to Him.

– Buy the 80G iPod. 

– Write a handwritten letter.

– Be more attentive to the whispers.

– Be more careful with my words.

– Listen to my friends.  Really listen.

– Love.

– Love.

– Love.

 

What are your revelations and/or resolutions?  Come on.  Share one.  Share them all!

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